THE
NAVAL MUSEUM OF THE CARIBBEAN, in Cartagena, Colombia, is located
in the 16th. Century area within the walled city, and between the bastion
of San Francisco Javier and the Monastery, Museum and Church of San Pedro
Claver.

THE
NAVAL MUSEUM OF THE CARIBBEAN has permanent exhibitions relating
to: the Military Naval History of Cartagena de Indias, Universal Navigation,
the Colombian Navy, including current times. Plus exhibitions representing
the Colonial and early Republican periods.

The
museum has two large wings, nearly a football field in length, separated
by two garden patios, and a stairwell leading to the second floor.

The
West Wing, called: "The Colonial Wing", was constructed during the first
part of the 17th. century. It served as the first school in the Americas
for the Society of Jesuits who were later expelled from all dominions
of King Carlos III of Spain. Later, between 1768 and 1885, the building
served as the Hospital of San Juan de God.

The
Eastern wing of the museum, is called: "The Republicana Wing". Constructed
in the early 1900´s, it quartered the First Battalion of the newly created
Colombia Marines.

In
1984, the Colombia Navy, the Jesuits, and several local leaders combined
efforts, and in 1985, the O.A.S. (Organization of American States) and
CARIMOS (Organization of the Great Caribbean for Monuments and Sites)
approved a proposal which was offered by the Ambassador of Colombia to
the Dominican Republic, Mauricio Obregón. The Proposal called for the
creation of The Naval Museum for all the Caribbean.

In
1986, at the international meeting of commissioners representing the Fifth
Centenary of America, the project was approved. On February 26, 1988 the
FOUNDATION NAVAL MUSEUM of THE CARIBBEAN was formally established. Legal
statutes were approved, and Dr. Mauricio Obregón was elected President
and Chief. Vice-admiral Eduardo Wills Or, was named head of the administration
council, and the work of restoration and refurbishment of the building
began. The O.A.S. financed the first architectural studies through CARIMOS
and the Colombian Navy.

The
museum's objectives are to:



Create
a greater awareness of naval history of the Caribbean Sea.



Conserve
and exhibit historical artifacts and information relating to the naval
history of the Caribbean.



To
facilitate the development of sub aquatic archaeology in the Caribbean.



Serve
as a collaborator with other museums, Colombian, and foreign organizations.



Create
events and publications for the dissemination of information relating
to the history of the Caribbean Sea.

The
museum, is equipped with modern lighting and display facilities, which
coexist harmoniously within the space of the Colonial and Republican Wings.
The museum exhibits interesting historical, scientific and interactive
learning materials, donated by the Colombian Navy and several countries
of the Caribbean.

The
Museum welcomes contact from those in a position to donate further information
or items of historical value relating to the Objectives of the Museum.